1988 Jeep Wrangler Reviews

The Jeep wasn't bad when I got it. I bought it for $650 and the reverse was blown out of the trans. Other than that it was good.

I bought a used trans that works amazing for $100, and the clutch kit for $240.

I have nothing bad to say about the Jeep. Everything about it is good.

I had some problems with my soft top ripping, but other than that, I'm a 100% satisfied with the Jeep. I have wanted one for a while. and I got it. redid the body with some bondo and bondo hair; did the job, and not it's flat black with a gray hardtop and tinted windows.

I honestly love this lil woods beater.

Engine seized @ 166,000.

Carb never worked right, replaced numerous times, STILL stalls occasionally w/a high performance Weber and rebuilt engine.

Replaced struts.

Needs camshaft.

Like they always say, a Jeep is built, not bought. A great fun ride, but very very expensive and problematic.

Very loud on the highway, even with hardtop. Don't even try to have a conversation with a softtop if you're doing more than 25mph.

Horrible horrible gas mileage. Used to only get about 12mpg and would only run on premium before engine was rebuilt, still stalled constantly.

I don't recommend this as a daily driver. It's more of a mechanical disaster that is fun to drive when it works.

Horrible in the snow.

Right from the beginning the vehicle was hard to start. After getting the car home. I did a complete tune up and noticed that the previous owner had been running the car with the idle speed set to high. I also checked the timing and found it be off contributing to the vehicles hard starting problem. I adjusted both to within the manufactures specification. Still hard to start when warm, but a vast improvement from when I purchased the vehicle.

The after market soft top and doors that came with vehicle leaks in the rain around the doors. I have patched it up with aftermarket weather stripping.

At 75000 miles during the winter of 2001, I lost the ability to engage the four wheel drive function. I discovered and replaced rotted hoses to the front vacuum motor which engage the front hubs.

At 89000 miles, the throw bearing started making noises. Replaced both the bearing and clutch assembly.

At 91000 miles I replaced the oxygen sensor and I have noticed a marked improvement to the starting problem I mentioned earlier.

I have 1988 Wrangler with the USA Olympics dress up package. It came with USA and Olympic ring decals and special tape treatment. Jeep was an Olympic sponsor that year so I consider my Jeep a little rare gem.

The old 4.2L six cylinder engine in this vehicle is no rocket, but it runs smooth and has been very reliable.

I have slowly personalized and upgraded the Jeep to my taste with a Sony XM satellite sound system, front bra, and new slide window upper doors (I hated the plastic windows in my lap when I unzipped them).

The new TJ Wranglers may recall and improve on history with their round headlights and better ride, but I love my YJ with all its quirks: square headlights, rough ride and slow engine. No matter what it is still Jeep.